Fresh Creek Rats Trying To

Fresh Creek Rats Trying To

Heap of garbage behind Shore Garden Apartments, although picked up regularly, is a draw for Fresh Creek rats.

Make Apt. Complex Home

By Charles Rogers

Some residents are praising the management officials of the Shore Garden Apartments at East 108th Street near Avenue J — and others are condemning them lately because of what they’ve perceived as an "inundation" of rats in the area.

"They’re all over the place," says one resident. "No matter how many traps or however much effort is going into getting rid of them, they keep coming back."

Rats left deep divots in front of this window recently.

The apartments are — appropriately — "guarded" with at least ten strategically-placed rat-catchers around the perimeter, but, as one resident said, "they just sort of ignore the traps."

Attempts to contact the manager, Isaac Wade, were unsuccessful, although residents said he has not been avoiding talking about the subject.

"We’ve talked to him and he has been cooperative," said a tenant, who also asked not to be named, "but he can only do so much. He hired an exterminator, who sets the traps all the time."

What appears to be one of the causes is that the rats come into the area from Fresh Creek, which borders the apartment complex.

Huge "rat-catchers," placed strategically around grounds, are avoided by the rodents.

"We’ve contacted the City Health Department and the Parks Department," the tenant said, "and, although they try to help, it’s not enough."

Health Department officials told the tenants they are looking into the problem.